United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), Economic Reporters Forum (ERF), and Dhaka Sub Editors Council (DSEC) have strongly protested the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh's (NOAB) decision to close newspapers for just three days on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, BFUJ Acting President Obaidur Rahman Shahin, Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury, DUJ President Md. Shahidul Islam, General Secretary Khurshid Alam, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon, General Secretary Mainul Ahsan Sohel, ERF President Doulot Akter Mala, General Secretary Abul Kashem, and DSEC President Muktadir Anik and General Secretary Jawahar Iqbal Khan expressed their strong anger and condemnation. They demanded that NOAB reconsider its decision and extend the Eid holiday. However, they expressed frustration that NOAB has not yet addressed their concerns. Eid Travel: Train passenger numbers surge ahead of festivities According to NOAB’s announcement, newspapers will be closed on March 30, 31, and April 1. If Eid-ul-Fitr is observed on April 1, depending on the sighting of the moon, the closure will extend to April 2. The journalist leaders pointed out that government officials and employees are receiving a longer holiday this year, with a five-day break coinciding with Independence Day, Shab-e-Qadr, and weekly holidays, stretching across the end of March and the start of April. In contrast, NOAB's three-day holiday decision for media workers, without considering their needs, was labelled as “extreme cruelty.” They protested the decision, demanding an increase in the holiday period. Transport syndicate set to extort Tk 832cr from Eid travellers: Jatri Kalyan Samity The journalist leaders also said that as the nation fights against discrimination, NOAB's decision reflects a new form of inequality, pushing media workers into further hardship. They have reiterated their call for a reconsideration of the decision to ensure fair treatment for media workers.

The Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) held a views-exchange meeting on the current and future state of the country’s economy at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Saturday. Bangladesh Sustainability Excellence Awards 2023 recognizes 6 corporates, 3 individuals Chaired by NOAB President AK Azad, the meeting was also attended, among others, by former caretaker government adviser and former Dhaka University Economics department professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, former Bangladesh Bank governor Salehuddin Ahmed, Policy Research Institute (PRI) executive director Dr Ahsan H Mansur, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) distinguished fellow Dr Mostafizur Rahman, SOAS University of London Economics department professor Dr Mushtaq Khan, Professor and Chairman of the Dhaka University Development Studies department Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir. Among the NOAB members, NOAB Founding President and Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, Financial Express Editor Shamsul Haque Zahid, Karatoa Editor Mozammel Haque and Bonik Barta Publisher and Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud were present at the meeting. DMP to start transferring OCs 'soon' in line with EC's directive About 25 journalists from different media outlets were present at the time. In the meeting, the economists highlighted the current state of the country's economy and its future dynamics including inflation, reserve crisis, education system and quality, banking problems and crises, foreign debt, dollar exchange rate, restrictions on economy and trade, preferential trade in western markets etc. Cyclonic storm Michaung likely to move Northwestwards, intensify further

Expressing concern over the recent statement of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhakaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) on Saturday said the statement came as part of deep conspiracy to create ‘utter anarchy’ in the newspaper industry.

Newspapers will not be published from May 25 to May 29 during holidays on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest festival of the Muslims.